Dianella hybrid plant named &#39;DP401&#39;

ABSTRACT

‘DP401’ is a distinctive hybrid cross between  Dianella prunina×caerulea  which is characterized by broad foliage texture, highly glaucous foliage, and high shoot density and uniformity of traits through successive cycles of asexual propagation.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES

The Latin name of the genus and species of the novel variety disclosed herein is Dianella prunina×caerulea.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

The inventive variety of Dianella prunina×caerulea disclosed herein has been given the variety denomination ‘DP401’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct perennial variety of Dianella prunina×caerulea, which has been given the variety denomination of ‘DP401’. Its market class is that of an ornamental plant or grass-like plant. ‘DP401’ is intended for use in landscaping and container gardening.

Parentage:

In February 2009, seed that resulted from an open pollination of a Dianella caerulea ‘DBB03’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,998) and Dianella prunina ‘DP303’ (not patented) was collected from Dianella prunina ‘DP303’ plants and subsequently sown at a plant breeding facility in Cobbitty, New South Wales, Australia. Once rooted, the resulting progeny were planted in nursery pots, moved outdoors, and allowed to mature using standard nursery practices. Said progeny were regularly evaluated for improved performance and aesthetic characteristics. In August 2010, a selection resembling the male parent, ‘DBB03’, was made that exhibited broader foliage, a higher degree of foliage glaucosity, and higher shoot density when compared to either parent. The selection was given the name ‘DP401’.

Asexual Reproduction:

‘DP401’ was first asexually propagated by dividing the root-bearing, rhizomatous propagules of the plant (i.e. “division cloning”) in 2010 in Cobbitty, New South Wales, Australia and has since been asexually propagated through ten subsequent generations. The distinctive characteristics of the inventive ‘DP401’ variety are stable from generation to generation; clones of the variety produced by asexual reproduction maintain the distinguishing characteristics of the original plant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘DP401’ is a distinctive hybrid cross between Dianella prunina×caerulea which is characterized by broad foliage texture, highly glaucous foliage, and high shoot density and uniformity of traits through successive cycles of asexual propagation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary mature ‘DP401’ plant in the landscape at approximately two years of age.

FIG. 2 illustrates the various foliage colors of ‘DP401’.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed botanical description of a new and distinct variety of a Dianella prunina×caerulea ornamental plant known as ‘DP401’. Plant observations were made on plants grown in Clarendon, New South Wales, Australia. Unless indicated otherwise, the descriptions disclosed herein are based upon observations made from mature ‘DP401’ plants grown from rooted cuttings from May 2012 to May 2013 in 200 mm nursery pots filled with soilless potting media, maintained with granular slow release fertilizer, and regularly watered with overhead irrigation. No pest and disease measures were taken.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics will vary with older or, conversely, younger plants. ‘DP401’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Where dimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations or averages set forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety may vary with variations in the environment such as season, temperature, light intensity, day length, cultural conditions and the like. Unless otherwise indicated, color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The Royal Horticultural Society, London, 2001 edition. Note that generic color descriptions such as ‘blue’ do not exist in the R.H.S. charts and the corresponding R.H.S. colors are quoted.

-   Growth habit, dimensions and color: -   Plant description:     -   -   Plant habit.—Erect, grass-like perennial.         -   Height.—60 cm.         -   Width.—60 cm.         -   Bloom period.—Spring.         -   Hardiness.—USDA Zone 9 to 11.         -   Environmental tolerances.—‘DP401’ has not yet been observed             under all conditions but has shown to be heat tolerant,             adapting well to temperatures in excess of 100 degrees             Fahrenheit without any noticeable damage. It has survived             light to moderate frosts and temperatures down to 20 degrees             Fahrenheit.         -   Drought tolerance.—‘DP401’ has not yet been observed under             all conditions but it has shown excellent drought tolerance             once established; typical of the species.         -   Pest and disease susceptibility or resistance.—In common             with the species, none of note.         -   Propagation.—Propagation is accomplished by dividing the             rhizomatous crown of the plant.         -   Time to produce a rooted cutting.—3 weeks at approximately             68 degrees Fahrenheit.         -   Crop time.—From 4 to 7 months are needed to produce a             well-rooted 200 mm pot, starting from a rooted cutting,             depending on geographic location. -   Stem:     -   -   Branching habit.—Acaulescent, rhizomatous plant with shoots             emerging upright at 90 degrees from rhizomes. -   Roots: Short, subsurface rhizomes which root at nodes; roots     fibrous; root density is high. -   Basal shoots:     -   -   Shoots density.—numerous; more than 25 in a 200 mm nursery             pot.         -   Shoot strength.—Strong.         -   Cross section.—Equitant.         -   Shoot color.—Combination of yellow-green 147B and 146C while             the base exhibits a combination of red-purple 62D and 63D.         -   Shoot surface.—Smooth. -   Foliage:     -   -   Type.—Evergreen.         -   Arrangement.—Equitant.         -   Division.—Simple.         -   Shape.—Linear to Oblanceolate.         -   Cross-section.—Folded sharply inward along longitudinal             axis, the adaxial surfaces of each side facing one another             (i.e. keeled midrib).         -   Apex.—Acuminate.         -   Base—Sheathed.         -   Venation.—Parallel.         -   Vein color (adaxial surfaces).—same as surrounding foliage.         -   Vein color (abaxial surfaces).—Yellow green 147A (R.H.S.             1986 edition), except for midrib which is greyed-red 180A             (R.H.S. 1986 edition).         -   Margins.—Serrulate.         -   Attachment.—Sessile.         -   Surface texture (adaxial surface).—Glabrous.         -   Surface texture (abaxial surface).—Glabrous.         -   Mature leaf dimensions.—average length 60 cm, average width             2.2 cm.         -   Leaf color (adaxial & abaxial surfaces).—Both surfaces are             closest to greyed-green 189A with the adaxial surface more             glaucous than the abaxial surface. Margins appearing red in             color, closest to 180A (R.H.S. 1986 edition).         -   Petiole.—Leaves are sessile.         -   Stipules.—Absent. -   Inflorescence: Lax panicles rise to approximately 80 cm and sit     above the foliage in late spring; number of flowers per     inflorescence is more than 100 in a mature plants. -   Flowers: Not yet described. -   Reproductive organs: Not yet described. -   Fruit and seed production: Not yet observed. -   Comparison of ‘DP401’ with other varieties of Dianella caerulea :     There are no Dianella prunina×caerulea varieties known to the     breeder, which would be available for comparison. However, when     compared with the parents ‘DP401’ has several distinguishing     characteristics. The growth habit, leaf habit, texture and leaf     color of ‘DP401’ more closely resembles that of the male parent,     Dianella caerulea ‘DBB03’. While both have greyed-green foliage     corresponding closest to 189A, ‘DP401’ has a higher degree of     glaucosity which translates to a more “silvered” appearance.     Furthermore, the foliage of ‘DP401’ exhibits a greyed-red leaf     margin corresponding to 180A whereas the foliage color along the     leaf margin of ‘DBB03’ is greyed-green 189A. Also in ‘DP401’, the     midrib on the abaxial leaf surface is also greyed-red 180A whereas     the midrib of ‘DBB03’ is the same color as surrounding foliage.     ‘DP401’ has broader foliage when compared to ‘DBB03’. The foliage of     ‘DP401’ averages 22 mm whereas the foliage of ‘DBB03’ is 15 mm at     its widest point. Compared to the female parent Dianella prunina     ‘DP303’, ‘DP401’ has a different growth habit, higher shoot density,     longer and slightly wider leaves and less anthocyanin expression in     the foliage. ‘DP401’ has an erect growth habit whereas ‘DP303’     plants exhibit an arched to weeping habit. Mature 200 mm nursery     pots of ‘DP401’ are observed to have greater than 25 shoots per pot     whereas ‘DP303’ plants of the same age will have approximately 10     shoots per pot. Leaf blades of ‘DP401’ are measured at 60 cm long     whereas mature leaves of ‘DP303’ are half as long at 30 cm. Widths     are similar for both varieties, however ‘DP303’ is more deeply     keeled at the midrib, with foliage sharply folded upward along the     longitudinal axis, which creates the appearance of a more narrow     leaf blade when compared to ‘DP401’. While both have red leaf     margins, the red pigments are more pronounced in ‘DP303’. Leaf     margins of ‘DP401’ are greyed-red 180A (R.H.S. 1986 edition) whereas     leaf margins of ‘DP303’ exhibit prominent red colorations     corresponding to red-purple 61A to 61B. 

That which is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Dianella prunina×caerulea plant named ‘DP401’, substantially as described and illustrated herein. 